Brazil may only recycle 4% of its solid waste, but it is leading the world in aluminum recycling. According to the Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL), Brazil recycled almost 99% of its aluminum cans in the last year, breaking its previous record.

In fact, more than 96% of the aluminum cans consumed in the country are recycled, and it takes only an average of 60 days for an aluminum can to be thrown into the trash can and returned to the supermarket shelf again. This recycling rate is the highest in the world.

Alfredo Veiga, director of the country's largest recycling company for used beverage cans, said that this approach is not only conducive to environmental protection but also plays an important economic and social role.

He asserted that recycled aluminum goods may lower power usage by 90% and carbon dioxide emissions by 90% when compared to virgin aluminum products. About 800 families in Brazil now rely on the collection of waste aluminum cans for a living, highlighting the significant social and economic impact of this sector.

The fact that it takes about 200 to 500 years for aluminum cans to degrade naturally in nature underscores the importance of recycling this type of waste.

Brazil is now becoming a leader in this area, ranking first in the world in terms of recycling rate. Furthermore, more than half (55.4%) of domestically produced aluminum products are made from recycled materials, far exceeding the world average (25.9%). This achievement should be attributed to Brazilian factories that specialize in this type of recycling.

Milton Rego, president of the Aluminium Association, noted that good practice over the past 30 years has made it feasible for aluminum to be recycled eternally.

He said that in Brazil and other countries, it is assumed that three-quarters of all aluminum products produced in nearly 100 years are recycled. This emphasizes the importance of implementing effective recycling programs and promoting sustainable practices to reduce the impact of waste on the environment.

The London Stock Exchange is also taking a more sustainable approach to aluminum production. In 2021, it plans to set up a dedicated platform to trade only aluminum products produced in an environmentally friendly manner.

This could be a positive message for Brazil, which, in addition to maintaining its current world leaders, could stimulate the sustainable development of domestic factories in the sector.

Brazil's leadership in aluminum recycling is an example of how effective recycling programs and sustainable practices can be implemented to reduce the impact of waste on the environment.

The significant social and economic impact of this sector underscores the importance of continuing to support and promote this type of recycling. As more countries strive to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainable development, Brazil's example could serve as a model for others to follow.